''Beyond the Raging Sea'' : A film that wasn’t meant to be made

CAIRO: 14 December 2019: Egyptian adventurer Omar Samra and triathlete Omar Nour are so consumed by wanderlust that they just can’t stop seeking challenges.

Believing that obstacles are just opportunities in disguise, Nour became the first Egyptian professional triathlete in history at the age of 31 after going through an incredible body transformation, while Samra climbed the highest mountains, and skied to both the North and South Poles, but it’s just never enough for them.

When Samra thought it was time to explore oceans, he thought of no one else better than Nour to take this thrilling adventure with him. Intrigued by the idea of completing a human-powered ocean-crossing, Nour and Samra teamed up to row across the Atlantic Ocean. They signed up for the ‘Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge’ aka ‘The World’s Toughest Row’, forming a crew titled 'Team O2'.

With little or no rowing experience and absolutely no knowledge of the ocean, Samra and Nour decided to complete the world’s toughest rowing attempt to cross the Atlantic, believing that it will make them explore new horizons and know themselves better.

Preparing for the challenge, they had to go through intense physical training and complete multiple qualifications, including a RYA Yacht-master Ocean Theory, First Aid at Sea, Sea Survival and a VHF Radio License.

Before the rowing event took place, Omar Nour and Omar Samra partnered with the UNHCR Egypt and UNDP Egypt in “#Rowing4Refugees” that aims to raise awareness of the plight of millions of refugees and asylum-seekers through a first-hand experience of the hardships and risks that refugees often endure when fleeing conflict and seeking safety across dangerous waters.

On December 14, 2017, Samra and Nour 'Team O2' started their arduous journey as the first Egyptian team to take on the challenge of rowing across the Atlantic, competing with other teams, each made up of 1-4 rowers from all over the world. The 3,000 nautical mile journey starts from the San Sebastian, La Gomera in the Spanish Canary Islands to Nelson’s Dockyard English Harbour in Antigua. No outside assistance is permitted throughout the crossing; once they left the harbor they were unsupported and had only each other to rely on. Their boat was approximately 7.5m long x 1.8m wide, built of wood, fiber glass, carbon fiber and Kevlar.

After eight days at sea, Team O2 was hit by 45 knot winds that caused their boat to capsize - their boat did not self-right as it was meant to do. The Egyptian duo lived 12 hours of fear and anguish, deserted and floating in the rough seas in a small rubber raft before they got rescued by a 200m Greek-German cargo ship, which re-routed in answer to their mayday call. The ship was able to bring them onboard after 3-4 hours of rescue attempts in worsening conditions.

Sponsored by DHL, and in collaboration with UNHCR and UNDP, Team O2 dedicated their row to raising awareness of the global refugee crises. In an ironic twist, Nour and Samra faced the same dangers, terrors and decisions of those they meant to recognize and relieve.

Their survival story wasn’t meant to be made into a film, until director Marco Orsini heard about it. Orsini got so enthused to document their adventure, and only then the action-adventure documentary film Beyond the Raging Sea was made.

Featuring jaw-dropping, you-are-there footage of a remarkable ordeal and rescue at sea, Beyond the Raging Sea is the gripping account of that experience narrated by those who lived it, capturing what they endured, what they felt and what it meant. In this film, an elite adventure introduces us to extraordinary people in exceptional circumstance, navigating existential threats and grueling ordeals, fighting for survival and what comes after.

Beyond the Raging Sea had a sold out Premiere at this year’s El Gouna Film Festival and was praised by the celebrities, public figures, and media who attended its screening. The film will screen in the Egyptian Panorama section of the 41st Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) November 20-29. Beyond the Raging Sea was presented as a work in progress in the Doc Corner of the Marché du Film at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. Distributed by MAD Solutions across the Arab World, Beyond the Raging Sea will be coming soon to theaters.

Beyond the Raging Sea is written and directed by Marco Orsini, who produced it in collaboration with DHL, IEFTA, UNHCR, and UNDP, with Executive Producers Omar Nour, Omar Samra, and John Giwa-Amu. The film’s original music is composed by George Acogny. MAD Solutions handles the film’s distribution and marketing in the Arab world.

Nour and Samra are world-class athletes. Omar Nour is a retired professional athlete, serial entrepreneur and motivational speaker. Nour was the first Egyptian professional triathlete in history, representing his country on the Olympic triathlon circuit from 2010-2016. Omar Samra is an adventurer, mountaineer, entrepreneur, inspirational speaker and future astronaut. He is the first Egyptian to climb Mount Everest and the 7 Summits and ski to both the Geographic South and North Pole (The Explorer's Grand Slam).